Folding crib and stroller



V- 1951 T. F. SCHMIDT 2,575,189

SSSSSSSSSSS Tl INVENTOR: THEODORE F. SCHMIDT ATT'Y.

Nov. 13, 1951 Filed July 25, 1947 T. F. SCHMIDT FOLDING CRIB AND STROLLER 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 31 as 38 3a 32 37 4| 8 42 24 5 5 L 45 J FIG. 4

THEODORE F. SCHMIDT IN V EN TOR.

ATT'Y.

Patented Nov. 13, 1951 FOLDING CRIB AND STROLLER Theodore F. Schmidt, Elmhurst, Ill.

Application July 25, 1947, Serial No. 763,721

11 Claims.

This invention relates in general to a folding crib and stroller which is capable of assuming three different positions; in a raised or extended position as a bed or stroller; in a partially lowered position as a play pen, and in a completely collapsed condition for carrying or storing it.

An important object of the invention is to provide a folding structure which is both light and strong so that it may be easily carried and moved.

A further object is to provide a folding structure which has no projecting parts when folded so that it occupies no more space than the extended dimensional area'of the frames.

A further object of the invention is to provide means actuated from either side for releasing the parts which hold the structure in its extended positions and to change from one position to another.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a folding structure of this kind in which a mattress support is suspended from an upper frame by fabric sides which adapt the structure to fold compactly, eliminating unnecessary parts for collapsing and extending it into its various positions.

Qther objects of the invention will appear in the specification and will be apparent from the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a folding crib and stroller in accordance with this invention, in its raised or extended position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 in a partially lowered or intermediate position to provide a play pen;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the structure in its completely collapsed or folded condition;

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view taken just above the wheels in the extended position of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of'Fig. 4.

In folding cribs heretofore provided, the folding structures are usually so heavy and cumbersome that they are not easily portable when folded and some portion of thefolding structure usu- 2 outer area of the frames, thus limiting thesl of the folded structure to the actual rectangular dimensions of the structure in its extended position. 4

An added convenience of the present invention is the provision of tripping means operable from either side of the crib in changing it from a crib to a play pen or from a play pen to its collapsed position. I

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, an upper frame I0 of wood, metal, or any other suitable material has fabric sides 1 l and ends l2 secured to it by fastening tacks l3,-.t he sides and ends being a continuous strip of canvas or other suitable material, or separate pieces, if desired. The lower edge of each side and end are similarly secured to a bottom frame M by tacks I5, the frame having cross slats 16 for supporting a mattress l1 within the sides and ends.

The enclosed mattress structure is supported by a wheeled frame at the bottom and below it by means of a folding parallelogram connected at each corner of the upper frame.

The wheeled frame comprises an axle I 8 at each end with a wheel [9 freely rotatable at each end of the axle. Extending between the opposite axles are connecting rods 20 which hold the axles suitably spaced apart. Mounted on the rods in? termediate their ends is a cross piece 2| which extends to the outer sides of the frames, the rods preferably extending through the cross piece.

At each side of the cross piece is a latch bar 22 having a projection 23 at the end of the cross bar. Each latch has a pivot 24 at its side of the cross bar located at the opposite side of the mid-portion of the cross piece from which the projec tion extends at the end.

Locking bars 26 and 21 are connected to the opposite axles l8 by hinges 28 so that they-may swing downwardly, and these bars are formed with projections 29 and 30 which overlap below the cross piece 2 l. A screw 32 is inserted through the overlapping projections and through the cross piece with a fastening nut 33 at the upper side and with a coil spring 34 interposed between the head of the screw and the lower projection 30 tending to hold the locking bars against the underside of the cross piece.

In order to insurethe movement of both looking bars when either one of the latches 22 is operated, a plate 36 is attached to the upper sides of the bars 26 and 21 by fastening screws 31 inserted through slots 38 in the plate. I

In the tops of the locking bars are locking c notches 40 and 4| each adapted to engage across bar 42 of the supporting parallelogram structure at the ends. Each cross bar 42 has openings adjacent its ends for mounting it to slide upon the bars 20 and to be seated in the notch 4%] or M and to be entirely disengaged from the notches when the crib is in a collapsed position.

Each cross bar 42 is connected at each end to a lever 44. Intermediate its ends it is pivoted to a cross leveri iitheilower end ofwhich is mounted to rotate-upon the-axle l8, and the upper end of the lever is connected to one end of a link t6, the other end of the link being connected intermediate the ends of a lever 47, one end of the lever 41 being pivoted to the :upp'er end not lever 45 and the other end of the lever bein pivoted to the side of the frame I3 at the adjacent corner thereof. nected ends of the lever 44 and the linl; as .isa cross piece 50. Extending between opposite sides of the crib frame so that the cross bars 42 and 5 at each end of the-crib are connected by the lever, thus insuring the 'joint operation of the two-parallelogram"structures at eachend of the crib.

In operatiQn, assuming thestructure is inits extended position-as shown in Fig. 1, the upper fire-megs: is raised substantially above the supporting wheel frame suspending the lower frame M by means of the sides and ends H and 12,-and thesupporting-parts are locked in this position lby t'h'le engagement of the cross bars-d2 in'tne notcheslflnear the outer ends of the lockingbars 2B'and 2l. V

f To 'lower'the crib, one of the latch bars 22 is operated by'engaging its projection 23 at the end "of thecross piece 2|, preferably by pressing the projection-2'3 with the=toe of the foot. This depresses the overlapping ends 28 and 30 of the locking bars against the spring 34,- thus freeing the notches 40 of the'locking bars from engageinent withthe cross bars 42 so that bypressing downwardly upon the frame 13, thebars 42-are moved inwardly upon rod's'n into engagement with notches 4|, thereby holding the supporting structures in thelowered or intermediate position "as shown in Fig 2. In this lower position, the cribis locatedsubstantially upon the floor or any other surface upon which it is supported, beingseparatedtherefrom only by the relatively fiat wheel supported frame. In tlie raised position, the structuremay beused as acrib'orb'assinetmoved about upon the wheels .li9,.-and:iniits lowered or intermediate position, it may be used-as a play pen. iWhenit is desired to fold or collapse the structure-to a'position asshown in Fig. 3, either of the latch bars is again tripped-by engagement of the toe in the conditionasshown by Fig. 2, where- -upon-,,th'e cross-bars 42 are disengaged from the slots 41, and the cross bars 42 are movedinwardly onftop of the. locking barsMl without engagement with'any ofxthe notchesthereoff In this position, the-parallelogram supporters are :folded closely and compactly togtherythe arrangement of the linksa-ndilevers is suchthat they fold together andtdoznotgproject beyond the ends of the upper and lowerframes 13 and M.

In the collapsed position, the fabric sides and ends and J2 fold inwardly, overlapping the edges of the mattress H but not projecting'materially therefrom, the folded structure being only slightly thicker than the mattress and the flat supporting frame and wheel being mounted for-movement upon thewheels lilif desired. .In the collapsed position, the structure is readily portable and occupies a minimum of space so that it may be conveniently stored or shipped in a small package.

While I have thus described the invention as a folding crib and stroller, it should be regarded by way of illustration and example rather than a restriction or limitation of the invention as various changes in the construction and arrangement ofthe parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope. of the invention.

I claim: -l. A folding crib structure, comprising an 'upper rectangular marginal frame, a lower mat- Between fthe icon- :tresssupporting frame suspended from the upper fI.-flme byflexible sides and ends, a running gear frame below the mattress frame of substantially .the-samefouterdimensions as the upper frame, and-a supporting collapsible folding structure at the sides and adjacent the ends of the frames,

each comprising a parallelogram supporting means having four pivotedQlinks, three of said links having portions extending beyond the con figuration of the parallelogram, one of said extending portions being pivotally connected ,to a corner of the upper frame, another of saidex} tending portionsbeing pivotally connected to a c rr spo in xle of the runn n s ar frama. a crossbar fastened to said ,thirdextending POI- tion, and means in connection with thehQUlQm fram for ens ein ai crossbar.

2., Ina folding crib, an-upper rectan ular SllD- porting frame, a lower mattressfralneconnected to the upper frameby fabric sides..and.ends,-. a bottom rectangular supporting frame, ,having wheeled axles at the ends, parallelogram sup porting means at the sides ,adjacentthe endsof the. frames. each of said parallelogramsupportf ing means comprising four pivoted linkspthree of saidiinks having-portions extending-beyond theconfiguration of the parallelogram, .ronemof said extending portions being pivotally.,.c0nnected to a corner of theupper frame, another; of. said extending portions being pivotally connectedto a corresponding axle of thebottomframepa cross bar fastened to the third extending -portion,.:and means in connection with the bottom frame for engaging the cross baznin differentpositions ,to hold the upper supporting frame at different levels and the parallelogram supporting ,means being foldable compactlyat thesides inwardly from the endsof the frames when-the structure is collapsed. r 7

.3. A folding crib having a rectangular wheel supporting frame andanupper rectangular-supporting frame, a parallelogram supportingmeans adjacent each corner of the frames, each of said supporting means'comprising four pivoted links; three of which have portionsextending beyond theconfiguration of the parallelog-ram, .one of said extending portions being pivotally connected to a corner of the upper frame, anotherof'said extending portions being .pivotallyconnected-to a corresponding axis of the wheel supported frame, a cross barfastened to the thirdextending portion, and meansin-connection-with ;.the wheel supporting frame for engaging -.the said supportingmeans for holding-it and the crib 'at two different-levels and in collapsed condition upon the running gear frame-theends of the said supporting means foldable inwardly at. the sides of theframes without projecting beyondthe ends thereof. w

4. In a folding crib construction. an upper rectangular marginal frame and a mattress frame supported therefrom by flexible sides and ends? having four pivoted links, three of said links having portions extending beyond the configuration of the parallelogram, one of said extending portions being pivotally connected to a corner of the upper frame, another of said extending portions being pivotally connected to a corresponding axle of the wheeled frame, a cross bar connecting the folding means of each end and locking means connected to the axles and movable into and out of engagement with the cross bars for engaging the cross bars in' different longitudinal positions for holding the crib at different heights and the crib being collapsible with the supporting means upon the frames.

In a folding crib structure, an upper rectangular marginal frame and a mattress frame foldably connected thereto by fabric sides and ends, a wheeled rectangular supporting frame comprising end axles connected by parallel bars, foldable supporting means adjacent the corners of the frames connected to the sides of the marginal frame and to the end of each axle, a cross piece connecting the foldable supporting means at adjacent corners, and guided for sliding movement by the parallel bars, a locking bar connected to each axle and extending inwardly therefrom, each locking bar having notches therein for engaging the cross bar, spring means tending to hold the locking bars upwardly together, and means intermediate the ends of the wheeled supporting frame engageable from either side of the frames for depressing the inner ends of the locking bars for releasing the cross piece from its engagement with the notches thereof in collapsing and extending the crib.

6. The combination with a folding crib having an upper rectangular marginal frame and a lower mattress supporting frame suspended therefrom by fabric sides and ends, of a wheeled rectangular supporting frame having end axles connected by parallel side bars, a collapsible folding structure at the sides adjacent each end of the frame, said folding structure being pivotally connected at the bottom to one axle and pivotally connected at the top to the side of the marginal supporting frame at the end thereof, a cross bar mounted to slide upon the parallel cross bars of the wheeled supporting frame and connected at its ends to the collapsible folding structure, a locking bar pivoted to each axle and extending inwardly in overlapping relation having notches in the upper side to engage the cross bar of its respective end, spring means tending to hold the locking bars in upwardly biased operative relationship, and foot engageable means at the center of the wheeled supporting frame projecting at opposite sides thereof and movable downwardly to depress the overlapping ends of the locking bars for freeing the engagement of the cross bars of the collapsible folding structures.

'7. In a folding crib structure, an upper marginal frame and a mattress supporting frame connected thereto by fabric sides and ends, a wheeled supporting frame having end axles connected by parallel supporting bars, a collapsible folding structure at each end of the frames pivotally connected at the top to the ends of the marginal frame and pivotally connected at the bottom at the opposite ends of the axle and including a cross bar at the bottom slidable upon the parallel bars which connect the axles, a locking bar 'hing'edly' connected to each "axlehaving upper notches to engage the cross piece of the folding .structure, said locking bars extending inwardly from the axles and having the free endsthereof overlapping, a supporting cross-piece mounted upon theparallel side bars between the axles, volt means extending through the cross piece and including'a spring disposed below said overlapping ends tending to press theinner ends of the locking bars upwardly'against said supporting crosspiece; and latch bars pivotally mounted at each side of the cross piece, each latch bar being disposed on one sided the longitudinal center and extending over said center to the end of the P cross piece," said latchbar having a portion proboth of the locking bars to free the cross bars of the folding structure from engagement with the locking bars.

8. A folding crib structure, comprising a wheeled supporting frame having axles spaced apart by longitudinally disposed members and a cross piece supported centrally between the axles, a locking bar hinged to each axle and extending inwardly below the cross piece with notches in the upper surface of each locking bar, resilient means carried by the cross piece to press the inner ends of the locking bars upwardly, latching means disposed on either side of said cross piece and having an extension at each end thereof for engagement by the toe of. the foot, means for depressing the inner end of each locking bar when either latch is depressed, a flat folding crib structure having an upper marginal frame, a flat folding link and lever structure connected at the top to the marginal folding frame and at the bottom to the end of the adjacent axle, and a cross piece at each end secured to said link and lever structure mounted to slide upon said longitudinal members of the wheeled supporting frame and engageable with the notches of the locking bars.

9. In a folding crib, an upper rectangular frame, a lower mattress frame supported thereby and connected by foldable fabric side and ends, a wheeled rectangular supporting frame having axles spaced apart by parallel side bars, a cross piece fixed on the side bars, a locking bar hinged to each axle and extending below the cross piece, the locking bars having transverse notches, a cross bar having openings through which the side bars extend, said cross bar being engageable in the notches, resilient means tending to hold the locking bars upwardly, a parallelogram folding structure adjacent each end of the sides having four pivoted links of which three have portions extending beyond the configuration of the parallelogram, one of the extending portions being pivotally connected to a corner of the upper frame, another of the extending portions being pivotally connected to a corresponding axle of the bottom frame, and a third extending portion connected to one end of said cross bar, means attached to the cross piece and projecting at each end thereof and each operable for engaging both locking bars and pressing them downwardly to disengage both locking bars from the notches to release the folding structures for collapsing and extending movements.

10. A three position folding crib having an upper marginal frame and a spaced mattress frame with a flexible connection for suspending it, a wheeled supporting frame having axles spaced apart by parallel side bars, a locking bar "hinged-to :ea'chi axle extending? longitudinally iof the frame and with transverseuppennotches, a cross piece fixed onthe'side bars, releasing latches pivoted oneach side of the cross piece and extending to the 'outsides of the parallel bars for operating the locking bars, and connected link and'lever folding mechanisms at each end of the frames connected at the top to the marginal frame and at the bottom to the running gear rframe and disposed at all times close to the con- 'in which'the locking bars each have two notches for holding the crib frame'in' a raised position andin a lowered; positiomand being disengaged from the locking bar-in a collapsed position-in which the mattress frame and the flexible connection are compressed together between the marginal frame and thesupporting frame.

THEODORE F. SCHMIDT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in th file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 7 2,292,132 Kroll Augu4, 1942 2,299,136 Feldman .0: Oct. 20,1942

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 810,833 France Jan. 6, 1937 

